Watermark's Church Leadership Podcast

On this week’s episode of the Church Leaders Podcast, explore the reasons behind faith deconstruction and gain insight on supporting those going through it. Key themes include church hurt, justification for sin, politics, intellectual doubts, cultural pressures, and personal experiences, with in-depth discussion on understanding truth, authority, and offering empathy. The discussion highlights the importance of being pastoral, patient, and loving while pointing individuals back to scripture during this process.  The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Dave Bruskas, a valued friend of John McGee and a seasoned church leader, shares vital insights on cultivating a strong church culture. They discuss the necessity of clearly defining and communicating cultural values while actively correcting misalignments. Bruskas emphasizes the significance of personal accountability, thoughtful hiring practices, and fostering a self-policing environment reminiscent of sports teams. Effective leadership communication emerges as crucial for driving cultural change, ensuring that values are consistently celebrated and reinforced over time.

In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee is joined by Luke Friesen (Senior Director of Operations) and John Cox (Executive Pastor) to discuss strategies for navigating economic slowdowns and decreased giving. Learn how strong communication, building reserves, and finding creative solutions will help you lead confidently through financial uncertainties. The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

People who see the world in unique ways and have original problem-solving approaches are a huge asset to any team. But if you want to help your creatives reach their full potential, you need to understand how to best engage with them. John McGee, Caitlin Van Wagoner (Senior Communications Director), and David Penuel (Creative Director) discuss maximizing creative gifting in the church on this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast.  Downloads:CLC Breakout Slides - The Creative Process The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Creativity matters because we are called to reflect our Creator God. Many of us, however, think of creativity as being accessible only to the talented few who fit a certain stereotype. This week on the Church Leadership Podcast, we gathered some of our staff’s best creative minds to demystify the creative process and explore how we can harness it for God’s glory.  Downloads:Creativity is a Remix by Kirby Ferguson (Ted Talk)A Technique for Producing Ideas by William Young The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

When news of a pastor’s moral failure breaks, it’s appropriate to grieve for the pain the sin has caused and the damage God’s reputation has suffered. On this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee and Dave Bruskas wrestle with their own complicated feelings about recent scandals and explore how we can lead ourselves well—avoiding self-righteousness and reorienting ourselves to truth.   The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

Explore the metaphor of the church as God's field, highlighting the transformative power of community engagement. Discover the importance of cultivating spiritual growth while recognizing God as the ultimate source of growth. Hear inspiring wisdom on collaboration in ministry, overcoming challenges, and the unseen contributions that nurture faith. Celebrate a collective mission guided by prayer and resilience, and embrace the journey of putting in the work while waiting in faith for divine results.

Church leaders are the first to extol the importance of biblical fellowship, but we aren’t always the best at practicing it. This special message from Harris Creek Baptist Church pastor Jonathan “J.P.” Pokluda, first given at CLC 2024, calls leaders to drop any pretenses and embrace the God-given gift of Christian accountability. This isn’t a race you can run well alone.  The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

If you weren’t able to join us at the Church Leaders Conference this year, check out pastor Timothy Ateek’s opening mainstage message on prayer as a spiritual checkpoint. Without attentive care, it’s easy to let your spiritual priority drift from enjoying God’s presence through prayer. We kicked off our time together by taking a hard look at ourselves and discussing how we can get back on-course if we’ve drifted.  The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort  

We wrapped up the “Things I Didn’t Learn in Seminary” podcast series this week with an episode on how to lead and serve in your first and most important ministry: your family. Shepherding your family well--listed in 1 Timothy as a leadership qualification--can be challenging. Whether you have a spouse and kids or hope to someday, it’s worth preparing to face these occupational hazards with eyes wide open.    The Young Leader Cohort is a ministry of Watermark Resources, created to equip the next generation of church leaders with biblical discipleship, practical training, and lasting relationships for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Learn more and apply at https://info.watermarkresources.com/lp/watermark-young-church-leader-cohort